Although most people prefer Miss Marple, Poirot is my favourite Christie's detective. He may be arrogant and annoying, but when you're a genius, you're allowed to be. Poirot doesn't believe in getting his hands dirty but can solve any crimes just by sitting comfortably in his chair, provided he has most of the facts. How he does it? Psychology, and his little grey cells.
My favourite novel? It's really hard to pick one (so I picked five). A novel with Poirot very rarely disappoints (but stay away from The Big Four as that is truly awful; I just want to forget it involved the Belgian detective), but if you've never read one and would like to know where to start, I'd recommend The Mysterious Affair At Styles. It was the first Christie novel, the first one with Poirot and the perfect introduction to the famous detective.
As afterwards, you'll be left wanting more, pick up these books.They are all masterpieces.
![]()
Murder On The Orient Express by Agatha Christie
This is certainly Christie's most famous novel and it's easy to see why. It's truly a masterpiece. Poirot is returning home from "a little affair in Syria" (which is narrated in Murder in Mesopotamia) on the Orient Express. Here he meets millionaire Samuel Ratchett, who, after receiving death threats, asks him for help. He refuses. That same night Rachett is murdered with 12 stabs in his cabin. Due to a snow-drift, the train halts in the middle of nowhere. That means that the killer is still on board. But who did it? Everyone has an alibi and the murder seems inexplicable. Yet, with the help of his little grey cells and a little psychology, Poirot will solve the mystery. The plan was well-executed and so is the plot. The characters are interesting and the end will totally take you by surprise. Although the beginning is slow, it soon picks up speed and you won't be able to put the book down until you've reached the last page. I don't like reading detective stories twice (where's the fun when you already know whodunnit?), but I think I will definitely revisit this one in a few years' time. It's that good.
Available at:amazon.com
Rating: 5/5
![]()
Death On The Nile by Agatha Christie
Wherever he goes, Poirot seems to stumble onto a murder. Here, he's on a cruise on the Nile, where he meets the beautiful and rich Linnet Doyle and her husband Simon. The couple are on their honeymoon, which is however spoiled by Simon's ex-fiancé and Linnet's ex best friend Jackie, who's stalking them wherever they go. One night, Jackie shots Simon in the leg, but only wounds him. It's Linnet who is found dead in her cabin. She was killed with a shot in the head. Jackie is the obvious suspect, but did she really kill her old friend? Poirot and his friend Colonel Race investigate. The story is always well-written and well-plotted, full of possible suspects, red herrings and twists and turns. Again, the solution is completely unexpected. This book is truly a page turner that will enthrall you from page one.
Available at:amazon.com
Rating: 4.5/5
![]()
The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
Rumour has it that Mrs. Ferrars has poisoned her husband. Everyone knows she plans to marry Roger Ackroyd when the mourning period is over. But then, she commits suicide. Soon afterwards, Roger is found dead too. Poirot, who had just retired in the village to grow vegetables, investigates together with the village doctor, Dr Shepard. The characters are well-drawn and likeable, suspects abound, and there are red herrings at every turn. The end, which is totally unexpected, is also controversial. I can't obviously reveal too much, so suffice it to say that Christie used a technique that had never been used before and that has made some readers feel cheated. I think it was genius, and enjoyed the book throughoutly, from beginning to end.
Available at: amazon.com
Rating: 4.5
![]()
Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie
Louise Leidner is terrified. Her husband, archaeologist Dr. Eric Leidner, hires nurse Amy Leatheran to look after her while they're on a dig in the Persian desert. Everyone believes that Louise is just paranoid. But then she's found dead. Poirot, who has once again stumbled onto another murder, enlists Amy's help to find the culprit. And it's not easy. Suspects, as always, abound and this time someone else may be in danger too. Clues are few, and no one seems to be able to figure out how the murder was committed either. And the end? Again, another surprise. Doesn't matter how attentively you read Christie's books, finding the culprit is very often impossible. And isn't that what makes a detective story good?
Available at:amazon.com
Rating: 4/5
![]()
Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie
Millionaire Simeon Lee gathers his family home for Christmas. Alfred, the doting son. Harry, the black sheep. George, the thrifty one. And David, the sensitive one who still mourns the death of their mother. There also their wives and Pilar, his granddaughter, whom Simon had never met before. Tension is high as people who, albeit family, don't get along are forced to stay under the same roof, pretending everything's ok. That's until Simon is found with his throat cut in his study. The door was locked from the inside. Everyone is a suspect as everyone has a reason to kill Simon. But who did it? Both Poirot and Inspector Sugden investigate, but guess who will solve the mystery? Yep, our favourite Belgian detective. Just like the other books, this one too has a well-executed plot, interesting characters, red herrings and twists that will keep you guessing until the end. You won't be disappointed.
Available at: amazon.com
Rating: 4/5
What are your favourite Poirot novels?
My favourite novel? It's really hard to pick one (so I picked five). A novel with Poirot very rarely disappoints (but stay away from The Big Four as that is truly awful; I just want to forget it involved the Belgian detective), but if you've never read one and would like to know where to start, I'd recommend The Mysterious Affair At Styles. It was the first Christie novel, the first one with Poirot and the perfect introduction to the famous detective.
As afterwards, you'll be left wanting more, pick up these books.They are all masterpieces.
This is certainly Christie's most famous novel and it's easy to see why. It's truly a masterpiece. Poirot is returning home from "a little affair in Syria" (which is narrated in Murder in Mesopotamia) on the Orient Express. Here he meets millionaire Samuel Ratchett, who, after receiving death threats, asks him for help. He refuses. That same night Rachett is murdered with 12 stabs in his cabin. Due to a snow-drift, the train halts in the middle of nowhere. That means that the killer is still on board. But who did it? Everyone has an alibi and the murder seems inexplicable. Yet, with the help of his little grey cells and a little psychology, Poirot will solve the mystery. The plan was well-executed and so is the plot. The characters are interesting and the end will totally take you by surprise. Although the beginning is slow, it soon picks up speed and you won't be able to put the book down until you've reached the last page. I don't like reading detective stories twice (where's the fun when you already know whodunnit?), but I think I will definitely revisit this one in a few years' time. It's that good.
Available at:amazon.com
Rating: 5/5
Wherever he goes, Poirot seems to stumble onto a murder. Here, he's on a cruise on the Nile, where he meets the beautiful and rich Linnet Doyle and her husband Simon. The couple are on their honeymoon, which is however spoiled by Simon's ex-fiancé and Linnet's ex best friend Jackie, who's stalking them wherever they go. One night, Jackie shots Simon in the leg, but only wounds him. It's Linnet who is found dead in her cabin. She was killed with a shot in the head. Jackie is the obvious suspect, but did she really kill her old friend? Poirot and his friend Colonel Race investigate. The story is always well-written and well-plotted, full of possible suspects, red herrings and twists and turns. Again, the solution is completely unexpected. This book is truly a page turner that will enthrall you from page one.
Available at:amazon.com
Rating: 4.5/5
Rumour has it that Mrs. Ferrars has poisoned her husband. Everyone knows she plans to marry Roger Ackroyd when the mourning period is over. But then, she commits suicide. Soon afterwards, Roger is found dead too. Poirot, who had just retired in the village to grow vegetables, investigates together with the village doctor, Dr Shepard. The characters are well-drawn and likeable, suspects abound, and there are red herrings at every turn. The end, which is totally unexpected, is also controversial. I can't obviously reveal too much, so suffice it to say that Christie used a technique that had never been used before and that has made some readers feel cheated. I think it was genius, and enjoyed the book throughoutly, from beginning to end.
Available at: amazon.com
Rating: 4.5
Louise Leidner is terrified. Her husband, archaeologist Dr. Eric Leidner, hires nurse Amy Leatheran to look after her while they're on a dig in the Persian desert. Everyone believes that Louise is just paranoid. But then she's found dead. Poirot, who has once again stumbled onto another murder, enlists Amy's help to find the culprit. And it's not easy. Suspects, as always, abound and this time someone else may be in danger too. Clues are few, and no one seems to be able to figure out how the murder was committed either. And the end? Again, another surprise. Doesn't matter how attentively you read Christie's books, finding the culprit is very often impossible. And isn't that what makes a detective story good?
Available at:amazon.com
Rating: 4/5
Millionaire Simeon Lee gathers his family home for Christmas. Alfred, the doting son. Harry, the black sheep. George, the thrifty one. And David, the sensitive one who still mourns the death of their mother. There also their wives and Pilar, his granddaughter, whom Simon had never met before. Tension is high as people who, albeit family, don't get along are forced to stay under the same roof, pretending everything's ok. That's until Simon is found with his throat cut in his study. The door was locked from the inside. Everyone is a suspect as everyone has a reason to kill Simon. But who did it? Both Poirot and Inspector Sugden investigate, but guess who will solve the mystery? Yep, our favourite Belgian detective. Just like the other books, this one too has a well-executed plot, interesting characters, red herrings and twists that will keep you guessing until the end. You won't be disappointed.
Available at: amazon.com
Rating: 4/5
What are your favourite Poirot novels?